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The star-shaped white blossoms of Hanoi's milkwood trees have inspired songwriters and lovers, but city authorities began cutting them back Friday after an outcry from residents over their "overpowering" fragrance.

Closed schools, shuttered sports centres and mass mask handouts. Indonesian wildfire haze has caused a regional pollution crisis and prompted growing frustration in neighbours, including Malaysia.

The families of children killed in a roof collapse at a school in northwest Pakistan called for "justice" on Friday, the day after more than 30 pupils and a teacher were crushed to death.

India's sweeping overhaul of electoral rolls has triggered a political firestorm, with opposition parties accusing the Election Commission of putting millions at risk of disenfranchisement.

Most Asian markets bounced Friday after the previous day's tech rout fuelled by concerns over the AI boom, which Federal Reserve boss Kevin Warsh said offered huge benefits to the global economy.

Irish province Munster host French club Racing 92 in the opening round of the Champions Cup on Saturday with the fixture falling almost exactly a decade on from the sudden passing of the home side's former No.8 and coach Anthony Foley.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, who was appointed less than a week ago, said China lacked "proper toilets" in an interview that aired on Thursday.

A teenager shot and killed three children and a teacher on Thursday at an elementary school in the US state of Oregon, police said, adding the assailant was later killed by an armed bystander who pursued him into the building.

Authorities closed a central New Delhi park Friday before a fresh protest seeking the removal of India's election chief over a voter-roll revision that critics say has disenfranchised millions.

US Federal Reserve boss Kevin Warsh said Friday the global economy had shown unexpected resilience against strong economic shocks, as central banks battle surging inflation, while rich countries tackle spiking bond yields.

World Bank President Ajay Banga laid out a vision on Friday for how his multilateral development giant should operate, focusing primarily on creating jobs, expanding economic opportunity and connecting private capital to developing nations that need investment.

Four people died on Indonesia's Java island fighting the blazes that have been sending toxic smoke across southeast Asia, closing schools and fuelling a surge of respiratory complaints in the region, authorities said Friday.

Wil Lutz booted the game-winning field goal in overtime as the Denver Broncos capitalized on a late interception to beat the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 17-14 on Thursday.

Star New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga faces missing the rest of the Rugby League World Cup after scans Friday showed he broke his arm in the thrilling tournament opener against Australia.

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 to reach baseball's World Series for the first time in 44 years on Thursday after completing a 4-0 series sweep of the star-studded defending champions.

Indonesian stocks plunged more than 11 percent Friday as index compiler MSCI said it was "no longer appropriate" to maintain the country's emerging-market status, fuelling fears of an exodus of foreign investment.

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday to reach baseball's World Series for the first time in 44 years after completing a 4-0 series sweep of the star-studded defending champions.

South Korea's military on Friday dismissed Pyongyang's doubts over Seoul's homegrown hypersonic missile launch, as the two Koreas appear to be intensifying an arms race over the high-tech weapons.

Five months on from their Europa League final appearance, Freiburg sit atop the Bundesliga table as the most successful period in the Black Forest club's history rumbles on.

There is much debate over who should win the Ballon d'Or this year, but if Lamine Yamal's recent form continues over the season, handing out next year's award would be simple.

Reigning champions Flamengo will take a 0-0 scoreline back to the Maracana next week after stifling Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final on Thursday.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has vowed to take action against companies found responsible for fires in neighbouring Indonesia that have plunged the region into an air pollution crisis.

Donald Trump is crisscrossing America to drum up votes for Republican candidates facing tough midterm election races, but the US president's rallies are often hijacked by his basking in the adulation of fervent supporters.

A brush fire in the mountains west of Los Angeles prompted evacuation warnings from officials on Thursday, as powerful winds risked spreading the blaze rapidly.

Most Asian markets bounced Friday after the previous day's tech rout fuelled by concerns over the AI boom, with traders also awaiting comments from Federal Reserve boss Kevin Warsh at the IMF's annual gathering.

Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the wartime missive written in code, creating a puzzle that went unsolved for more than 200 years -- until AI cracked it in a matter of hours.

The Asian Cup in January is "on schedule", Saudi Arabian organisers said, after growing fears for the tournament following Houthi attacks on the country.

The spectre of far-right leader Marine Le Pen winning France's presidency with a pledge to go head-to-head with the European Union is already giving Brussels the jitters -- and looming large over Emmanuel Macron's final months in power.

Eduarda Campopiano describes herself as "feminists' worst nightmare" and thanks God for the colonization of Brazil by Portugal, which she credits with saving the country from "cannibalism."

Three children and one teacher were shot dead at an elementary school Thursday in the northwestern US state of Oregon, police said, adding that the assailant was a 16-year-old who was killed by an armed bystander.

Veronica Rosas is one of tens of thousands of Mexican mothers looking for a child that has disappeared into a vortex of violence fueled by brutal cartel turf wars.

Manchester United travel to historic rivals Leeds on Sunday with pressure mounting on manager Michael Carrick, while Manchester City aim to extend their perfect Premier League start despite the uncertainty over their future.